Survey Systems

Below are some of the systems that our Ocean Engineering team has designed, built and delivered to an operational phase.

The WA 30 is a deep seafloor dual frequency mapping system capable of generating imagery and subbottom profiles across a swath of up to 6000 meters (20,000 feet). The WA 30 is a general purpose system, combining wide swath for rapid area coverage with high resolution capability.

The AMS 60 is a deep seafloor mapping system capable of generating co-registered imagery and subbottom profiles across a swath of up to 2500 meters (8000 feet). The AMS 60 is a general purpose system, allowing both wide swath mapping and high-resolution target imaging.

C-BASS is a seafloor towed survey system that is used to collect high resolution geophysical and geotechnical information for the top 3-5 meters of seafloor sediments in water depths to 2,000 m. Using resistivity and induced polarization, C-BASS is used to determine the burial feasibility and other characteristics for planning, design and route selection of seafloor cable and pipeline installations and to characterize mineral deposits.

C-CASS is a special purpose dipping instrumentation platform, created to provide enhanced bottom and water column assessment during a geophysical survey at a lower cost than conventional ROV’s while not unduly limiting mobility, operating from winches and gear already in use with other survey equipment. C-CASS is lowered to the bottom of the seafloor on an electro-mechanical cable, utilizing its data acquisition subsystems: a high frequency scanning sonar, video, and depth meter. C-CASS operates from vessels-of-opportunity using standard handling equipment and deep sea coaxial cables. Although comprehensive, the list of sensors and subsystems can be changed based on the needs of the operation.

The CPTV (cone penetrometer test and vibrocorer) is a remotely operated geotechnical testing and sampling tool for use in water depths to 2,000 meters. The CPTV allows both in situ CPT data collection to a depth of 5 meters as well as 2-3 meter core sample retrieval for on board ground-truthing or laboratory testing.

REDAS is used to complement conventional geophysical surveying techniques to provide an improved prediction of the geotechnical characteristics of the top few meters of seafloor sediments. The REDAS implements direct current electrical resistivity while being towed in contact with the bottom at 1-2 knots. REDAS is designed to operate from vessels of opportunity using standard handling equipment and deep sea coaxial cables.